Elizabeth Smith-Stanley. Elizabeth Smith-Stanley, Countess of Derby was an English peeress.
As the eligible eldest daughter of the 6th Duke of Hamilton, she married the 12th Earl of Derby in 1774, giving birth to three children. Lady Derby was popular among society and she organised a ladies cricket match.
She was a leader of fashion alongside the Duchess of Devonshire. Five years after the marriage, Lady Derby embarked in a very public affair with the 3rd Duke of Dorset.
She eventually separated from her husband, which caused a scandal and led to her effective exile from society, especially after it was learned that she would not be marrying the Duke. Lady Derby moved abroad, only returning once her husband attracted embarrassing press attention for his very public relationship with the actress Elizabeth Farren, whom he married soon after Lady Derby's death in 1797.
On 26 January 1753, Lady Elizabeth Hamilton was born as the eldest child of James Hamilton, 6th Duke of Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth Gunning. Two younger brothers followed, and her father died in early 1758. The Duchess of Hamilton, considered one of the most beautiful women of the day, remarried in 1759 to John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne. This marriage gave Lady Elizabeth three younger half-brothers and two younger half-sisters. By the time of her first London season, Lady Elizabeth was considered very eligible, with her name being li
As the eligible eldest daughter of the 6th Duke of Hamilton, she married the 12th Earl of Derby in 1774, giving birth to three children. Lady Derby was popular among society and she organised a ladies cricket match.
She was a leader of fashion alongside the Duchess of Devonshire. Five years after the marriage, Lady Derby embarked in a very public affair with the 3rd Duke of Dorset.
She eventually separated from her husband, which caused a scandal and led to her effective exile from society, especially after it was learned that she would not be marrying the Duke. Lady Derby moved abroad, only returning once her husband attracted embarrassing press attention for his very public relationship with the actress Elizabeth Farren, whom he married soon after Lady Derby's death in 1797.
On 26 January 1753, Lady Elizabeth Hamilton was born as the eldest child of James Hamilton, 6th Duke of Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth Gunning. Two younger brothers followed, and her father died in early 1758. The Duchess of Hamilton, considered one of the most beautiful women of the day, remarried in 1759 to John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne. This marriage gave Lady Elizabeth three younger half-brothers and two younger half-sisters. By the time of her first London season, Lady Elizabeth was considered very eligible, with her name being li
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